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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Addresses degraded images caused by positioning, obstructions, accessories, detector contamination, technique selection, environmental interference, or external equipment.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Confirm the Complaint Without Unnecessary Exposure
If image quality is inadequate for safe clinical interpretation, stop relying on the system and provide alternate verified imaging as needed. Obtain clinical examples or descriptions of the problem rather than repeatedly exposing a patient.
Determine whether the complaint is noise, lines, shading, distortion, dropout, blur, or another visible artifact.
Expected outcome: The image-quality issue is defined without unnecessary radiation exposure.
2. Inspect the Imaging Path
Check the detector surface, X-ray source area, and space between them for removable objects, covers, positioning aids, cables, instruments, table components, or foreign material that may be entering the field.
Do not remove required sterile barriers during an active procedure unless clinical workflow permits.
Expected outcome: The imaging path is clear of unintended objects.
If removing an unintended obstruction eliminates the artifact, proceed to final verification.
3. Inspect the Detector Surface and External Components
With the unit out of active patient use, inspect accessible detector surfaces and covers for contamination, residue, damage, or attached material. Clean only using approved methods and products.
Expected outcome: External imaging surfaces are clean, intact, and free of visible contamination.
If approved cleaning resolves the artifact, continue to final verification.
4. Verify Positioning and Geometry
Confirm the C-arm, detector, patient support, and test object are positioned appropriately for the intended imaging task. Check for excessive object-to-detector separation, unintended angulation, movement, or equipment entering the field.
Expected outcome: Imaging geometry and positioning are appropriate for the test being performed.
If corrected positioning restores acceptable image quality, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
5. Review User-Accessible Imaging Settings
Verify the selected clinical imaging mode and user-accessible technique selections are appropriate for the intended application. Compare with a known-good workflow or equivalent system if necessary.
Do not alter service calibration values or restricted configuration.
Expected outcome: Normal user-accessible settings are selected for the imaging task.
If an incorrect selection caused the issue and image quality returns to normal after correction, proceed to verification.
6. Check for Motion or Mechanical Instability
Observe whether the image-quality problem appears only during C-arm movement, table movement, or vibration. Confirm brakes are holding as expected and that equipment near the system is not physically contacting it.
Expected outcome: The imaging system and test object remain mechanically stable during acquisition.
If eliminating motion removes blur or artifact, verify stability and stop troubleshooting.
7. Remove Potential External Interference
Temporarily move or power down nonessential nearby equipment when operationally safe if the artifact appears related to environmental electrical interference. Ensure external cables are routed correctly and not damaged.
Expected outcome: The artifact either disappears when an external source is removed or remains independent of the environment.
8. Compare Images Using a Suitable Test Object
With the patient removed from the troubleshooting process, obtain images of an approved test object according to facility and Philips procedures. Determine whether the artifact is reproducible at the same detector location or under the same conditions.
Expected outcome: The image-quality problem is either resolved or objectively reproducible for escalation.
9. Check Image Display Versus Acquisition
When possible, determine whether the artifact appears on acquired images themselves or only on a particular display. Compare the mobile viewing station displays or another approved review destination when available.
Expected outcome: The problem is isolated to image acquisition or display rather than assumed to involve the entire imaging chain.
10. Perform Final Functional Verification
Verify acceptable image quality using approved test methods, ensure no persistent artifact is visible, confirm detector readiness, and verify normal operation across representative permitted positions.
Expected outcome: Images are clinically usable and no abnormal noise or artifact remains during controlled testing.
If successful, troubleshooting can stop and the unit may be returned to service.
11. Escalate Persistent Image Degradation
If poor image quality remains reproducible after external obstruction, contamination, positioning, settings, motion, and environmental causes are ruled out, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The device remains out of clinical use until the imaging chain is evaluated by qualified service personnel.
If the Problem Persists
Common external and workflow-related causes have been ruled out. The remaining issue may involve detector performance, image-processing configuration, calibration, X-ray generation, display performance, or another service-level imaging subsystem problem.
The device should be:
- Removed from service when image quality is not clinically dependable.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or qualified service evaluation.
- Evaluated using approved Philips procedures, appropriate phantoms, and test equipment.
- Calibrated, configured, or repaired only by qualified personnel.
Do not perform undocumented calibration or internal detector repair. Complete appropriate image-quality and radiation-performance testing before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Use an approved test object rather than a patient when reproducing image-quality problems whenever possible.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported a persistent shadow artifact on images from the Philips Zenition Series."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found residue on the external detector cover within the imaging field."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The detector cover was cleaned using the approved method, test-object imaging showed the artifact was eliminated, and normal image quality was verified."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Description and location of the artifact.
- Whether the artifact is constant or intermittent.
- Clinical mode in use.
- Patient or test-object positioning.
- Detector surface condition.
- Objects or accessories in the imaging path.
- Whether movement changes the artifact.
- Environmental equipment present.
- Whether the artifact appears on all displays.
- Test-object results.
- Final image-quality status.
Final Thought
Image-quality complaints should be reproduced safely and objectively. Clear the imaging path, verify positioning and settings, inspect external surfaces, and rule out motion or environmental causes before escalating suspected detector or imaging-system problems.
That is successful troubleshooting.